ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X

Source

Dave2D

Key Takeaways

• Packing the massive 80Wh battery pushed weight to 678g, losing the featherweight nimble feel of the original 2023 model.
• Cruelly deleted the proprietary XG Mobile eGPU port, stranding enthusiasts who invested thousands in ASUS external GPUs.
• Price jumped to a steep $799, yet recycles the same 7-inch 1080p IPS screen instead of upgrading to lush OLED.
• Still chained to Windows 11 handheld touch quirks, occasionally trapping users in tiny desktop dialogues without an attached mouse.

✅ Pros

• Mammoth 80Wh battery doubles unplugged playtime past 3 hours
• 24GB LPDDR5X RAM cures shared video memory bottlenecks permanently
• Reworked ergonomic grips fill palms with superb tactile comfort

❌ Cons

• Heavier 678g bulk strains wrists during long sessions
• XG Mobile deletion strands previous eGPU owners
• $799 price tag still uses older IPS LCD tech
• Windows 11 touch UI quirks persist

📝 Verdict

"ROG Ally X perfects battery life and RAM capacity let down by a heavier 678g frame, deleted eGPU port, and a $799 price."

Source

• Video: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X Review
• Channel: IGN | Type: Review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Essentially a sequel to last year's ROG Ally X, and the first device to support the Xbox full-screen experience, booting straight into the Xbox app.
• The distinctive grip shape fits the palm better and doesn't dig into the hands like other handhelds.
• Hall effect triggers, plus impulse trigger rumble like Xbox's own controllers.
• The screen peaks at 500 nits with bright colors, and its moderate resolution pairs well with the Z2 Extreme.
• 2 hours 34 minutes of battery life in Cyberpunk 2077; more expensive than the US$799 ROG Ally X, and twice the price of a Switch 2 or Steam Deck.

✅ Pros

• Superb grip
• Xbox full-screen experience
• Good performance and battery life

❌ Cons

• High price
• The full-screen experience still needs software updates

📝 Verdict

The Xbox full-screen experience alone is enough to recommend it, and the comfort and performance are icing on the cake.

Source

• Video: ROG XBOX Ally X Review
• Channel: Dave2D | Type: Review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Carrying the Xbox name brings two expectations: a console-like effortless experience, and an affordable US$400–500 price.
• Steam can be launched in the background, and once installed, games appear in the same library with Game Pass labels.
• The software and update process are still confusing in places, and the Windows baggage is heavy, but software fixes may help.
• After several weeks of testing, the reviewer loves how it feels to hold for long periods; the X is the heavier of the two models.
• It's US$1,000 and out of stock until mid-November; buyers of the X know what they're getting, but the US$600 non-X model may see a lot of returns.

✅ Pros

• Comfortable grip
• Integration with Game Pass/Steam
• Will improve with software updates

❌ Cons

• Expensive at US$1,000
• The Windows experience isn't "Xbox" enough
• Confusing update process

📝 Verdict

A good device that will improve with software updates, but it has to be approached with the right expectations.

Source

• Video: ROG Xbox Ally X - a PC Gamer’s Perspective
• Channel: Linus Tech Tips | Type: Review (sponsored by dbrand) | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• Microsoft calls it an Xbox, yet it's ROG-branded, and most older Xbox games can't be played; the full-screen Xbox interface looks just like a Windows app.
• Both the internals and the design are a generational leap, most obviously the ergonomic grips, which are comfortable in any position.
• It has the Z2 Extreme (8 cores, 16 threads, 16 RDNA 3.5 cores), 24GB LPDDR5, a 1TB SSD, and a second USB-C port supporting Thunderbolt 4; starting at about US$1,000.
• The performance advantage over the previous Ally X is smaller than expected, and it uses more power; full-screen mode occasionally freezes and then executes all inputs at once.
• Charging is much faster than the LCD Steam Deck (about 90 minutes vs 3 hours).

✅ Pros

• Greatly improved ergonomics
• Powerful Z2 Extreme, Thunderbolt 4 support
• Fast charging

❌ Cons

• Expensive at about US$1,000
• Limited progress over the previous Ally X
• Xbox full-screen interface occasionally freezes

📝 Verdict

If you don't want to spend more, the Ally X is one of the best Windows handhelds right now, but the price is still high.